Can’t access VirusTotal
When I search VirusTotal on every browser, the browser crashes or it automatically closes. Could it be a virus is prohibiting me from searching a specific website? If so, How do I find that virus and delete it?
Resetting my laptop will be my last resort. I want to eliminate the virus without resetting.Reddit User
If your browser consistently crashes or closes when attempting to access VirusTotal or other cybersecurity resources, it may indicate that malware is actively preventing you from using tools that could identify and remove it. This guide provides steps to identify and remove the malware interfering with your browser functionality, without needing to reset your laptop.
Initial Steps to Diagnose and Address Browser Crashes
- Run Your Antivirus in Safe Mode: Start your computer in Safe Mode with Networking to prevent malware from blocking antivirus activities. Here’s how you can run a thorough scan:
- Restart your computer and tap the
F8key (orShift + F8for Windows 8 and 10) as it starts to bring up the Advanced Boot Options menu. - Select ‘Safe Mode with Networking’ and press Enter.
- Once in Safe Mode, open your antivirus software and run a full system scan.
- Restart your computer and tap the
- Use an Alternative Malware Scanner: If your current antivirus doesn’t find anything, or if you suspect it’s been compromised, try using a different malware scanner like Gridinsoft Anti-Malware, which can detect and remove malware that might be missed by other programs.
- Check Installed Browser Extensions: Malicious extensions can cause browsers to crash, especially when accessing specific sites like VirusTotal. Check your browser’s extensions and remove any that are unfamiliar or unnecessary.
Manage Your Extensions
On your computer, open Chrome.
- At the top right, select More (three dots), then Extensions, and then Manage extensions.
- Make your changes:
- Turn on/off: Turn the extension on or off.
- Allow incognito: On the extension, select Details. Turn on Allow in incognito.
- Fix corruptions: Find a corrupted extension and select Repair. Confirm by selecting Repair extension.
- Allow site access: On the extension, select Details. Next to “Allow this extension to read and change all your data on websites you visit,” change the extension’s site access to On click, On specific sites, or On all sites.
Remove Virus with Gridinsoft Anti-Malware
We have also been using this software on our systems ever since, and it has always been successful in detecting viruses. It has blocked the most common Malware as shown from our tests with the software, and we assure you that it can remove Virus as well as other malware hiding on your computer.
To use Gridinsoft for remove malicious threats, follow the steps below:
1. Begin by downloading Gridinsoft Anti-Malware, accessible via the blue button below or directly from the official website gridinsoft.com.
2.Once the Gridinsoft setup file (setup-gridinsoft-fix.exe) is downloaded, execute it by clicking on the file. Follow the installation setup wizard's instructions diligently.
3. Access the "Scan Tab" on the application's start screen and launch a comprehensive "Full Scan" to examine your entire computer. This inclusive scan encompasses the memory, startup items, the registry, services, drivers, and all files, ensuring that it detects malware hidden in all possible locations.
Be patient, as the scan duration depends on the number of files and your computer's hardware capabilities. Use this time to relax or attend to other tasks.
4. Upon completion, Anti-Malware will present a detailed report containing all the detected malicious items and threats on your PC.
5. Select all the identified items from the report and confidently click the "Clean Now" button. This action will safely remove the malicious files from your computer, transferring them to the secure quarantine zone of the anti-malware program to prevent any further harmful actions.
6. If prompted, restart your computer to finalize the full system scan procedure. This step is crucial to ensure thorough removal of any remaining threats. After the restart, Gridinsoft Anti-Malware will open and display a message confirming the completion of the scan.
Remember Gridinsoft offers a 6-day free trial. This means you can take advantage of the trial period at no cost to experience the full benefits of the software and prevent any future malware infections on your system. Embrace this opportunity to fortify your computer's security without any financial commitment.
Additional Troubleshooting Steps
If the above steps do not resolve the issue, consider the following:
To reset Microsoft Edge, do the following steps:
Open the "Settings and more" tab in the upper right corner, then find here "Settings" button. In the appeared menu, choose the "Reset settings" option:
After picking the Reset Settings option, you will see the following menu, stating the settings which will be reverted to the original:
For Mozilla Firefox, do the next actions:
Open the Menu tab (three strips in the upper right corner) and click the "Help" button. In the appeared menu choose "Troubleshooting information":
In the next screen, find the "Refresh Firefox" option:
After choosing this option, you will see the next message:
If you use Google Chrome
Open the Settings tab, and find the "Advanced" button. In the extended tab choose the "Reset and clean up" button:
In the appeared list, click on the "Restore settings to their original defaults":
Finally, you will see the window, where you can see all the settings which will be reset to default:
Opera can be reset in the next way
Open the Settings menu by pressing the gear icon in the toolbar (left side of the browser window), then click the "Advanced" option, and choose the "Browser" button in the drop-down list. Scroll down, to the bottom of the settings menu. Find there "Restore settings to their original defaults" option:
After clicking the "Restore settings..." button, you will see the window, where all settings, which will be reset, are shown:
Dealing with malware can be challenging, especially when it actively interferes with your ability to seek help. By following these steps, you can work towards identifying and eliminating the malware preventing access to VirusTotal without having to reset your laptop. Remember, maintaining up-to-date antivirus software and regularly scanning your system are key practices for keeping your device secure.
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